kerry alpen

MIT Chapel

2012-01-31T11:35:00.000-08:00

I think there is something so wonderful about buildings that are designed specifically for worship. I think it's something we've gotten away from, at least in California, and even more specifically, in Southern California. When searching for a new church after moving, I was hopeful for a building that was designed as a church, with that single purpose. Not a church that met in another building, not a church that moved into a strip mall, not a church that built itself a sanctuary that was more function than form, even though I believe wholly that church is about the people and community, not about the building. I think there is something special about seeing God's beauty while in a place that reflects his creations creativity and ability, and for a building that has been built for the sole function of meeting God.

How incredible is this chapel at MIT? To say Eero Saarinen is one of my heroes would fit the bill.

Don't you just love this light at the altar? It breaks my heart when churches eliminated natural light, because it's better for media presentations -- power point, controlled lighting, video screens. What a fabulous place for a wedding.

Saturday night at the ballet

2012-01-30T09:51:00.000-08:00

We bought a season subscription to the San Francisco Ballet this year, and the season opened this weekend. The first program this year is Onegin, which is a ballet adaptation of a Pushkin poem. Here's how they describe it online:

The passionate story of Russian aristocrat Eugene and his lost chance for love with the beautiful Tatiana, unleashes heartbreaking themes of unrequited love, anguish, and tragic irony. Set to a powerful score by Tchaikovsky, this production features lavish scenery and costumes by award-winning designer Santo Loquasto and lighting by James F. Ingalls.

It was fantastic. I think even a non-ballet lover would enjoy it. You can get tickets here, they added an additional performance so it's running through February 3rd.

photo: Erik Tomasson

Good news for Spring 2012

2012-01-28T12:37:00.000-08:00

So in love with Valentino's continued pieces of the "Rockstud" collection.

right??

And how sweet is this little Miu Miu Bow t-strap sandal for Spring 2012?

I love the gold metal heel.

Fresh Friday: whole wheat pasta with chard; roasted romanesco with cilantro dressing

2012-01-27T07:00:00.000-08:00

Follow along with me on my resolution to eat not just locally, but seasonally in San Francisco. Fresh Friday!

Week 2:

Whole Wheat Pasta with Sauteed Chard
boil water, cook your pasta.
Heat two tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Finely chop 2 leeks, add to the skillet with salt and pepper and a touch of garlic if you like, and saute in the heated oil for a few minutes. Add the chard, and coat with the oil and stir with the leaks, saute until limp, and toss with your pasta and a touch more olive oil. Sprinkle with Parmesan, and eat it up!

Roasted Romanesco with Cilantro Dressing

One or two heads of romanesco
salt and pepper
chili powder
olive oil

Heat oven to 425 degrees, cut the romanesco into bite-sized florets. Put a tablespoon of olive oil in a bowl, and add a pinch of chili powder, salt, and pepper. Toss the romanesco in the bowl and coat with the spiced oil, and spread in a single layer on a baking sheet. Roast in the oven until starting to brown, I think it was like 25 minutes for ours.

Cilantro Dressing
1/4 cup olive oil
juice of 1/2 lime
1 cup cilantro, roughly chopped
1 clove garlic
1 tsp honey
salt to taste and fresh ground pepper

While the romanesco roasts, combine everything for the dressing in a food processor or blender and blend until smooth.
Dip the roasted romanesco in the dressing, or I guess you could drizzle it over the top

This romanesco recipe came from our farm's, eatwell.com, via cristiescorner.com

Central Europe 2011 Part III, Austria

2012-01-24T19:29:00.000-08:00

After our stopover in Czesky Budjrovich, we continued on and crossed the border into Austria, and stopped off in Salzburg. Not the highest place on our list, we only planned one full day in Salzburg, but it turned out to be our FAVORITE place! We talk dreams of moving there to have babies and live a small perfect life. We rented bikes, bought picnic goods and spent the day riding around and tracking down all the sights from The Sound of Music, and fulfilling the fantasies of the 7-year-old girl inside of me, singing the songs and dancing around. We had nice weather for the first time, and loved every minute of the day.

An Alpen in her natural habitat

Maria's Church! At her Abbey! Nonnburg Abbey

The FRONT Von Trapp mansion, can you believe they used two different ones, a front view and a back view?? We picnicked across the lake looking at the back view, where the kids fall in the water in their play clothes!

the 16 going on 17 gazebo, and below, is Andy indulging me in my 7 year-old girl fantasy of being Liesl when she dances around with Rolf, leaping from one bench to the next!

Seriously. Favorite Day.

The next morning we got up, rented a car, and drove to Vienna. It was an amazing drive, the Austria I'd been longing for -- huge Alps, expanses of lush green grass, and those hunky brown and white cows with big bells on! We packed our left-over picnic food, bought a map, and hit the autobahn! We made two significant stops along the way, in the tiniest ever town of Hallstatt in Salzkammergut, and to take a gondola ride and hike a mountain top. Hallstatt is built on this teeny tiny bit of land between a huge mountain and a beautiful lake, not even room for roads, so everything is quite literally on top of each other. It's charming like crazy, full of incredible views on all sides, and home to the Kirche und Beinhaus, which is the Bone House church. No space to live, and no space to die, they didn't have room to bury their dead, so instead, they placed the cleaned, dried out, and decorated skulls and femurs in a chapel, a bone house. The year of death was painted on the skulls and they go back to the 1800's.

Onward to Vienna, but not without finding a gondola to an alpen summit! We took a ride up two gondolas to the top of this crazy mountain, and hiked out to a view point where there were all these paragliders, and "relaxation couches" where we ate our little lunch, and watched people jump off the side of the mountain and sail over the lakes and valleys below. Dream life. We continued the trail to another overlook, and tried these five "fingers" -- little planks that extend over the cliff and give you five different thrills, before we had to head back and catch the last ride down the mountain or be stuck there overnight!

Andy and our rental: a Ford Fiesta

Last stop, Vienna! Where, we didn't take many photos it seems. Which might be because I left the plug converter in the room in Prague, and we ran out of camera battery and were unable to charge it... but I can't remember.
Vienna: we discovered that the same operation that we rented bikes from in Salzburg, was in Vienna, where we were already set up! You pop your credit card in a machine, enter your password information, and it unlocks a bike for you to rent by the hour, seriously, why is this not in San Francisco (and for a euro an hour!)?? So we tried to see Vienna on bike, but got lost, and had an unsuccessful day. We made it out to the Danube, and saw a much more real-life side of Vienna then we maybe needed to, but we capped off the night with our favorite dinner treat: a sausage served "hot dog" style, meaning they take a long roll, like a sour dough roll, cut the top off and make a little hole and stick it on a spike. Then in the hole that the spike makes, they pump in mustard, and then shove in your sausage! It's all perfectly contained in the bread, and is all the sausagey perfection I could ask for. YUM!

The next day, we had tickets to see the Lipizzaners at the Spanish Riding School. They only had performances on Saturdays, which we weren't there for, but they sell tickets to their morning practices on some weekdays. Oh MAN, soo great! Word of caution, the arena is indoors, and if you're allergic to horses, like me, it's pure misery. You're not allowed to take pictures, and I obeyed. We then toured the Hoffberg's palace, Schlas Schonnbrunn, and got wine on the canal in the Palace Urania.

Schonnbrunn Palace

ein Sachertorte und zwei cappuccino

And then we flew forever, got delayed on the runway for four hours and missed our connection in Boston and got a wonderful nights sleep at a hotel courtesy of the airline, before giving up our seats the next morning and getting a $700 voucher! And then we're home. Whew! Can you believe it?

Fresh Friday

2012-01-20T07:06:00.000-08:00

I'm starting a series this year, to partner with my resolution to eat locally AND seasonally. "Fresh Fridays!" I know how much easier it is to do this in California than most other places in the country, however, let me just tell you, we're getting slightly over eating winter greens in our house. Here's the deal: we're using our CSA box and a food wheel as our guides -- even if the food wheel doesn't say it, if it comes in our CSA box, we count it as allowable, and can buy more of that from the market if we need to. In the Bay Area, seasonal vegetables in January are bitter leafy greens like spinach, kale, mustard greens, bok choy, and we're getting leeks, broccoli, romanesco, oranges, some apples, and winter squash. Frozen and canned food is allowed, however, we're really trying to be local as well, and are therefore trying to avoid them as much as possible.

Week 1:

Winter Squash Baked Risotto (this recipe is adapted from one from Real Simple, and it's both simple and amazingly delicious. We've made it so far with butternut, acorn, and red kuri squashes, all have been great!)

about 3 cups of squash cut into 3/4 inch cubes.
1 cup pearl barley
about 2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup dry white wine
3 cups vegetable broth
1 tablespoon of butter
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
5 or 8 oz of spinach, however much you like/have
salt and pepper
tsp of garlic

Prep your squash and your onion, pre-heat oven to 350, and then heat olive oil in a dutch oven on the stove. Add the onions and garlic and saute until soft, about 3 minutes, crack some salt and pepper in there. Add the squash and saute another 5 minutes until it's soft too. Add the barley and stir, cook for one minute, add the wine, cook for another 3 minutes, add the broth, stir and bring to a boil. Put the lid on and transfer your dutch oven to the heated oven, and cook for 45 minutes. Pull it out, stir in the butter and most of the Parmesan, and then the spinach. Garnish with the rest of the parm sprinkled on top. Serve it with your same dry white and enjoy! serves about 6.

photo credit: Real Simple

Resolutions: 2012

2012-01-10T07:46:00.000-08:00

2011 resolutions were largely culinary, and we did pretty well, aside from some weight gain:
*produce from the farmers markets, go weekly. (this turned into a CSA box instead)
*pick up our wine shipment in person at least 4 times a year (good reason to get out of the city for the day)
*meal plan weekly
*try at least two new recipes a week
*leave the country at least once

So, for 2012 I'm resolving to:
*buy only seasonal veggies if more than the CSA is needed --this means no tomatoes for a while, and right now it's meaning a LOT of bitter winter greens and squash.
*fight the inappropriate growth of my body
*run a race
*limit meat to one meal a week, if that
*allow myself the freedom to be a better friend, even if I can't be a perfect one
*deepen my relationships at work
*leave the country at least once

four month sum-up

2012-01-08T22:09:00.000-08:00

we traveled, we loved, we ate, we celebrated!

September and October were nuts for us. Saudi Arabia (Andy), San Diego, Seattle, Berlin, Prague, Salzburg, Vienna, 30!, Holiday, Bend. whew.

Andy and I celebrated our 1st year of marriage in Seattle, where Andy had a conference. We spend a couple days in his conference hotel downtown, and while Andy taught and learned, I saw friends and played in the City, and then we spent the weekend with some friends in Ballard, along with some other friends who drove up from Portland. We got to see my family for dinner one night, and spent Sunday with them, eating an amazing brunch and swimming in a fabulous pool. It was full and lovely. We didn't take any pictures if you can believe it.

I marked 30 with glam. Call these the crisis of turning twenty-ten, by Valentino:

(I was also spoiled by my wonderful husband, who also felt the need to mark the occasion.)

Hello Central Europe! We took a fabulous trip to Central Europe, into Berlin and out of Vienna. We had thought we'd spend the time in either Argentina or Italy, but with Andy's recent travels to the Middle East, we had enough airline miles to book a trip, and those places were unavailable. We decided to pick the dates, and go where ever we could get tickets, and this worked, so we booked it, and started planning. Two glorious weeks that felt like a second honeymoon, and were a blessing to be away from work, away from life, and enjoying each other and our spirits of adventure.

We spent Thanksgiving with The Coughlin/Walther side of the family, but here in the Bay. Andy's folks came down and cousins came up, and it was a huge, fun day of family and fun, before the misery of the Holiday shopping season hit my life. We spent Christmas just the two of us, and cooked a fabulous meal where I roasted my first chicken. Vegetarian no more!

Andy headed up to Oregon the next day, and I joined him a few days later, and we got just enough snow to satisfy before we headed off to the high desert for New Years.

Now, enough wrap-up, here's some hot NYE shoe: Palais peep toes from YSL.

Happy New Year!!

2012-01-08T08:24:00.000-08:00

Publish Post

We spent our 2011-2012 transition in Oregon with Andy's fam, and spent NYE and a friend's Birthday by renting a cabin at Brasada Ranch, about 30 minutes outside of Bend, Oregon. If you are looking for a perfect high-desert resort with mountain views and amazing facilities, I highly recommend it.

Central Europe 2011 Part II, Czech Replublic

2012-01-07T23:56:00.000-08:00

We kicked it down to Prague for the next week. Oh Prague. Those copper-topped buildings, and cobblestone streets (murder on your feet but so pretty to look at), pints of delicious Czech beer for less than $2! Bridges and rivers and palaces! We saw The Marriage of Figaro, performed by the Czech National Opera, in the same opera house debuted Don Giovanni in. Beautiful. We spent our last coins on two champagnes during intermission, instead of dinner. La Vie Bohem!! After the opera, we went out dancing, and learned that we were just too old for it, at least for that club. We tried. We spent several days exploring the streets, the sights, the many cathedrals, and fighting the cold air by drinking our weight in hot wine. We ate heavy Czech food, too much sausage and cabbage and dumplings, but the perfect amount of delicious pilsner.

wine at the palace vinyard

on the Charles Bridge

John Lennon wall

We took a day trip out to Kutna Hora, a mining town about an hour train ride away, where we took a tour of an old silver mine (!!!). Incredible, but maybe a little wetter and drippier than I had expected. (Andy loved every second of it, I was creeped and ready to be out after about five minutes of the 90 minute tour.)

On our way down to Austria, our train had a stopover in Czesky Budjovic, which just happens to be where the Budvar brewery is (Budvar is the 2nd largest Czech beer brewer after Urquel), and so we decided to extend our time in Czech Republic by extending our stopover and getting out into the town. Like so many other things on our trip (Guggenheim closed for a changing of exhibit, Josefhov sites all shut for Yom Kippur, funicular railway out of service) our timing was off and it wasn't a work day, so I didn't get to see any machines in action, but the beer was delicious. We hung out in the pub to kill time before our train, and tried all the beers we could drink.

(I LOVE how things are made)

Fun fact: When Anheiser Busch was coming up with a name for their beer, they chose Budweiser because the Czech's Budweiser Budvar is synonimous with "good beer."

Central Europe 2011 Part I, Berlin

2012-01-07T22:51:00.000-08:00

Per usual international travel, I got sick on the way over, and our first few days, in Berlin especially, were full of fevers and constantly watering eyes and a raw, red nose. Unfortunately, we kind of missed out on Berlin. We were there for Sunday and Monday nights, the two nights that Berlin, the city that doesn't sleep, slept. We found no dancing, no clubs, and empty bars. We did see all of the historical sights we could, go to an outdoor flea market, see the Lars Van Trier movie Melancholia in a fabulous old theatre, and become proficient in the Berlin train system.

We did, however, catch the tail end of Oktoberfest, and found Berlin's little celebration of it, where we drank beer, ate pretzels and danced some polka. It felt like our time in Berlin was a huge history and cultural lesson, as we experienced the city torn in two, and full of a tortured and horrific past, coming to flourish in art, fashion, and culture. It was also the birthplace of my love of mulled wine, or there called: hot wine.

YUM!

2011-09-10T16:37:00.000-07:00

Hello Three twins' Dad's Cardamom ice cream, you are possibly the most delicious thing in my freezer. Absolutely amazing. Keep it up Three Twins, excellent job. And they're from Petaluma!

2011-08-22T12:57:00.000-07:00

I think it's my dream to have white-washed wood floors. If they were cheveroned that might be the best floor ever made.

2011-08-08T14:23:00.000-07:00

I love to sit around with other members of the church who want to glorify God and who have been given creative gifts from God and together to craft plans and strategies for the church. I can walk away from such conversations with great anticipation in my mind and great zeal in my heart for God to bless our work for his name’s sake.

But there is a subtly deceptive, ultimately dangerous assumption inherent in doing things this way. The assumption is that God is somehow obligated to bless the plans we create. Yet nowhere in Scripture has God promised to bless my plans or anyone else’s in the church, no matter how innovative or creative they may be. Neither has God promised to bless us based solely on our motives. Sure, we are supposed to do everything for the glory of God, but that doesn’t mean everything we do for his glory is assured of his blessing.
--David Platt, Radical Together

The Energy Bus

2011-08-05T11:55:00.000-07:00

Sick and stuck in bed yesterday, I read this book The Energy Bus by Jon Gordon. It's all about positive thinking and the power of the energy you put into the world and your life. Focused on the workplace, and on managing a team, it was a great reminder of the importance of attitude, and has inspired me to get a little more personal at work, so I can “love my passengers.”

obsession: easy dressing

2011-08-03T07:00:00.000-07:00

Obsessing over easy jersey dresses, like these from j.crew. Every one is so simple and soft, perfect to throw on for a drive, for a plane-ride, for a walk, for a lunch, or add a jacket and some heavy jewelry and turn it into a little dinner dress. Fluid and cozy, soft and drapey, they scream summer and I think some will easily transition to fall with a chunky cardigan or a pair of tights and an oxford bootie. I want to wear one everyday. I especially love the bottom one, that deep v neckline with the almost flutter sleeve is so romantic, no?

2011-08-03T06:18:00.000-07:00

Funny how we use the word “mustache” to describe handlebars, and the word “handlebar” to describe mustaches, isn’t it?

How fun is that tee from Amos Bros? You can get one here.

2011-08-02T12:09:00.000-07:00

I am not bound to win, I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live up to the light that I have.
--Abraham Lincoln

2000 Days of Matt & Audree

2011-08-02T07:43:00.000-07:00

Stop Motion Wedding Invite 2000 from mattandaudree on Vimeo.

This wedding invite video is so fun. I love it (and Hall & Oates, you just can't go wrong). My gosh, people are just so stinking creative. And talented! I just love it.

You can view their gorgeous Malibu wedding here & here via 100 Layer Cake.
ps. another video wedding invite

Mad Men, now streaming live on Netflix!

2011-08-02T06:40:00.000-07:00

We started watching Mad Men this weekend. We plan to watch the whole series on Netflix, while drinking cocktails, and eating casseroles and Jell-o desserts.

We're absolutely hooked and loving every minute of the few episodes we've watched so far. Wow that dashing Don Draper. It's hard to be so torn between loving and hating the era, but I, for one, think we need to bring back the pitcher of Bloody Mary's in the conference room, don't you?

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to get my caboose into the kitchen to freshen up my husband's martini.

Ryan + Ezra

2011-08-01T07:32:00.000-07:00

One by one, he's going to cover them all, or so he claims.

"here's a cover of "Oxford Comma"... by Vampire Weekend, second track on their first record. i am a superfan so forgive me." --Ryan Adams

He does what he wants, and you just have to love the guy. Ahhh married life.

2011-07-30T06:32:00.000-07:00

Today is my grandfather's Birthday, or would be. At 92, he lost his battle with prostate cancer last year, the day before our wedding. A man like they don't make any more, my grandfather was heroic. He was noble, kind, generous, and full of integrity, and full of life. He was proud of his family: of his wife of his children, of his grandchildren, of his heritage, of the life he lead. He built homes with his hands, and a home with his heart. He served in the military, in the home, in the church, in the community.
My life was spent learning from him: learning cards, dominoes, German, our family history, and all kinds of life lessons. He paid each grandkid $20 to read Tom Brokaw's book The Greatest Generation because he felt it so strongly represented him and what he lived through, and was so important that we know about those times. He cut articles out of the newspaper he thought we needed to read and mailed them to us; we would have to initial them, and then send them along to the next grandchild to do the same. He cared so much that we make good decisions and do the right thing. He was an amazing father, and a terrific grandfather. We still celebrate you Grandpa, and are thinking of you today especially.

Have a beautiful weekend!

2011-07-29T18:08:00.000-07:00

Even though I’ll be working tomorrow, I’ve been waiting for this weekend all month – Monday is August, and it means work eases up and calms down, and I start getting my Saturdays back. I think my whole company is holding their breath until then.
Andy’s been in DC these last few days, and flys home tomorrow. Casablanca is playing in the park tomorrow night, and if Andy's up for it, we might go with some friends! Here’s a little photo of Andy having his Birthday lunch at Town Hall last week. Have a great weekend!

A Breath Of Fresh Airline

2011-07-29T07:05:00.000-07:00

I love Virgin America's ad campaigns. I'm desperately dreaming of a get-a-way weekend ASAP, whether it's camping in the mountains, exploring a new city, lounging pool-side, or eating on a patio over-looking the water (beach, sea, lake, sure), I'm hopped up on dreaming of summer weekends (two things that don't go hand-in-hand in my life) and looking for a quick August vacay.

Have you driven a Ford lately? I have.

2011-07-28T12:53:00.000-07:00

Funny thing: I'm somewhat afraid of ANY abnormality having to do with our car and driving. One of the very first days I started my new job with my new car commute, (literally, like day 2 or 3) I had to drive down San Jose for a meeting. It was a stormy morning, I said goodbye and good luck to my dashing husband, walked up the street and found the car with a flat tire. Umbrella in one hand and coffee in the other, I ran back to our apartment, hoping Andy hadn't left yet, and could help me change the tire in the windy, rainy, messy, morning, and not ruin my tights or dress by kneeling in the muddy street. Turns out, I had driven over a screw, which was slowly leaking all the air out of the tire. I think that day shattered all my confidence.
Since then, I find myself checking before I get into the car for flat tires and the like, and realized last night after dropping Andy at the airport, that I was nervous something might happen with the car while he was away. Perhaps it's because I didn't buy it, perhaps it's because I spent four blissful years not driving, perhaps it's that marriage has made me seemingly less independant (before, had I a flat tire on my own car, I would have just changed it myself, and did a number of times). It's true that I know next to nothing about our car. It's a Ford; I've never owned an American car. I know that the gas tank is on the wrong side, the gear-shifter works differently, the windsheild wiper controll is goofy, and the headlights turn on with a dial on the left dash. I just assume that under the hood is equally backwards, and live in constant fear that I will be stranded, late, scared, and in danger somewhere, sometime.
I much prefer to be a passenger.

Ahh the hatchback, her most redeeming quality. We moved our SOFA in it.

Boys and Girls and Music!

2011-07-20T07:46:00.000-07:00

While we were in Bend, we swung by the Bendistilery for gin-tasting (and buying). They also make vodka, and you can taste for free in their little tasting room, or have cocktails and look out on the gorgeous landscape. The building is on the same property as the juniper forrest that grows the berries they use for their gin. We were super hot and so we didn't taste anything but the gins, of which there are now two. It's interesting to note the different tastes, Cascade Mountian was more of a G&T gin to me, and I thought the Dessert Juniper (on private label) would be best for a martini.

"I say 'America', you say 'freedom!'"

2011-07-19T12:50:00.000-07:00

We spent 4th of July weekend up in Bend with Andy's fam, giving us three full (and fully packed) days of Oregon-style F.U.N.
We spent the whole weekend out doors: We went for a long trail run by the river, we bbq'd, we rode bikes, we picnicked in the forrest, we fed trout at the hatchery, we drank good Oregon beer, we went out on the town and danced until we were sweaty and falling over, we floated the river, we lit sparklers. We saw the fam, the grandparents, friends, Mike preaching on Sunday morning, the brothers, the Fishers, The Christensons (who were also in town for the weekend!) babies, dogs and magnificent fireworks.

gearing up for the Freedom Ride through town. excellent.

It was a great weekend away, out of the city, and enjoying the slower life of Bend. Being outside in sunny, warm weather, it felt like Summer.

Pick Ben F.!

2011-07-19T10:54:00.000-07:00

I'm embarrassed to say how very into The Bachelorette I am. It's more than a guilty pleasure, it's a guilty obession. I'm so excited that I squeal through it, and am sad when each episode is over and I have to wait another week to see what will happen next.

I am, OF COURSE, pulling for Ben F., the winemaker from Sonoma (who also grew up in San Diego!).

photos: abc.com

Berlin, Prague, Vienna...Salzburg?

2011-07-18T17:35:00.000-07:00

Andy wants to add Salzburg to our Fall travel itinerary. What do you think? Is four cities in twelve days too many? If it is, it Salzburg worth it anyways?

Who ever knows from the beginning?

2011-07-14T11:29:00.000-07:00

"It is our failure to become our perceived ideal that ultimately defines us and makes us unique. It's not easy, but if you accept your misfortune and handle it right, your perceived failure can become a catalyst for profound reinvention."
--Conan O'Brien in his commencement address to Dartmouth

ps. you can watch his address here. (Via Colin Ryan)

Video Wedding Invite

2011-07-14T10:18:00.000-07:00

How amazing is this wedding invite?? I can't even imagine how long that took, and I love every second of it. I wish I was as creative as some people!

(Via A Cup Of Jo (Via Gangsta Bride))

ahhh fall Prada

2011-07-12T22:06:00.000-07:00

Dying over this Prada bootie, especially in grey. Rediculously hot, and feels amazing on the foot, I'm getting so excited for Fall.

And how sweet is this puffer bow ballet flat? It just femmes up whatever you're wearing in a way I love. These will be finding their way into my suitcase this Fall, as they are perfect for travel, don't you think?

Weekend in the Woods

2011-07-12T21:34:00.000-07:00

Our dear friend's parents have a home and a dog in the woods, and while they were celebrating their daughter's wedding in Napa for the weekend, we took the house and the dog under our care. What a treat to escape the city and it's chill for a couple days and be warm and relaxed amongst enormous redwoods and our friend Gus.

We hiked in Big Trees National Park, wine-tasted in darling downtown Murphy's, walked the dog in the woods, drank morning coffee and BBQ'd dinner on the decks, and took Gus swimming in the lake nearby.

Nothing to do with space after all

2011-07-12T21:25:00.000-07:00

Last month we spent the weekend in Seattle to watch and celebrate my littlest brother-in-law graduate from college. My two brothers-in-laws live together in Queen Anne in this darling little house, and the whole fam shoved in for the weekend. Tons of fun, we went out and shopped downtown, bought a bunch of crabs and cooked a big crab dinner, we went out on the town; we played and celebrated all weekend! Congratuations Matt, and a big well-done. Next up: putting it to use.

(cutest ever, and taken by Sarah Mannus.)

Hooray for Zoo Zealand!

2011-06-27T22:10:00.000-07:00

Remember that little penguin who swam all the way to New Zealand and officials were "allowing nature to take it's course" on? Well, he was finally removed from the beach and given surgery to help him survive nature's course of mistakenly eating beach sand and driftwood, and is being housed in the zoo for now!

Lost Penguin Perks Up After Surgery

I'm hoping that this means he'll be rescued for real from here on out, and I'm sure that someone will write a children's book about him and his valient little life story.

P.S. How in the world are the EXPERTS not able to tell if it's male or female?? Did anyone else read that?

NKOTBSB

2011-06-27T19:04:00.000-07:00

OH.MY.GOSH. How in the WORLD did I miss that this was happening?? Hello amazing, it's so nice to see you again, as you rock my freakin' world.

Oh Oh Ooohhh OOHhh, Oooh Oh OOH Oh!! This could be the best thing you see or hear all day. Go ahead, squeal, sing along, we all are, I sure am.
If only I'd known... THEY'RE TOURING!!! Here this weekend, and we'll be out of town.

2011-06-27T07:33:00.000-07:00

Upswept hair and a beige lace top seem the perfect re-entry to the week after a lovely weekend away in the woods. This week will be spent in very un-sensible heels before doing it again in a different set of woods next weekend, but what fun it was to walk in the giant trees, wine taste in the tiny city, and take a dog to swim in the just-right lake, and be in love.

Lost Penguin

2011-06-25T10:55:00.000-07:00

My heart breaks for this Emperor penguin who swam all the way to New Zealand from Antarctica! Researchers won't take him home in worry that he may have caught a disease from swimming in the warmer water, and becuase the logistics of getting him back to Antarctica this time of year are too difficult. Read the article in the SF Chronicle at sfgate.com here:

Stranded Emperor Penguin Won't Get Trip Back Home

Wildlife officials say the penguin has been eating wet sand, likely mistaking it for snow, and Simpson said its plight has sparked entreaties from around the world asking New Zealand to help the penguin get home since it was spotted Monday.
--Nick Perry, Associated Press

I wish they'd at least take him in at a zoo and take care of him. Don't you just love Emperor penguins??
Photo: Richard Gill / AFP/Getty Images

2011-06-20T22:18:00.000-07:00

Kerry's Tequila Lime Chicken:

Rub [free-range, organic, happy in the orchard, bug-eating, of course] boneless, skinless chicken breasts [or Safeway frozen, defrosted in the microwave] with garlic, and drizzle (rather heavily, I'd say) with tequilla and lime juice. Grind sea salt and pepper on top. Broil in a flaming hot broiler for 6 minutes, then pull 'em out, flip 'em over, and drizzle another bit of tequilla and squeeze the other half of the lime on. Go again with the salt and pepper and put back under the flame for six more minutes on this side.

Who knew chicken could be this quick and delicious?? Brilliant for summer dinner.
I wish I had a picture of how gorgeous they turned out.

2011-06-19T12:55:00.000-07:00

Happy Father's Day to all the great dad's out there, especially to these two:

Mark and Mike, you have been incredible sources of encouragement, guidance, support, and love. We are who we are because of you.

Thanks Dads, and happy Father's Day!! Beware of banana slugs and barking spiders. We love you!!

110,000 to 0

2011-06-17T17:46:00.000-07:00

In October we will be heading across the seas for two weeks of adventure, starting in Berlin, then Prague before Vienna. 30, you're not what I thought you'd be, but you're starting to look up.

Scent of a Woman

2011-06-16T19:23:00.000-07:00

I've been looking for a new fragrence, something to be able to mix it up, daytime vs. nightime, clean vs. sexy you know. I described what I wanted and what I currently wear to the gal and she immediately brought me this Jo Malone Nectarine Blossom & Honey Cologne, and I am obsessed. I don't know if it's sexy or nighttime, but it's delicious and I can't stop smelling it. Plus, the packaging is all so gorgeous, of course.

promises, promises

2011-06-16T13:53:00.000-07:00

I just found my vows to Andy in the handbag I used yesterday! I almost thought they were gone forever, along with our guest book pages-- all those special words from friends-- and so many other things from our wedding that we never got back. I hand-wrote them and tore the page out from my journal (so was only carrying a single folded paper in the pocket of my wedding dress); I didn't have another copy. I had resigned to the fact that I had said them, promised them, meant them, and that those words would live on in practice, if not in physical form, but I see Andy's every day hanging on our kitchen message board. Now my words will join his again, in holy matrimony, in our kitchen.

I love how this One-For-One thing is taking off

2011-06-07T18:21:00.000-07:00

Warby-Parker, Spex club, and now this from Tom's:

These are my choice:

Get them here.

Way to go Team.

Daytime Sparkle

2011-06-06T11:25:00.000-07:00

I wish I had these on today. I'm tired of boots and rainy weather, and in need of a little sparkle today. Really, everyday, don't you think?

Jerome C. Rousseau "Aizza" glitter pump from Spring 2011.

Boys > Girls

2011-06-05T09:34:00.000-07:00

thumbs up buddy.

Top 5 Right Now Nails

2011-06-03T14:48:00.000-07:00

1. OPI Dutch Tulips
2. Essie Geranium
3. Dior Electric Tropics "Aloha"
4. Essie Turquoise and Caicos
5. Essie Ballet Slippers

Hello June, if only you weren't so rainy.

Jewel Box

2011-05-30T16:04:00.000-07:00

Mainly obsessing over jewels and lamps these days.
Finally caved and took home this deco-inspired coctail ring last week:

Have been lusting over this necklace from J.Crew, and think I may finally have a reason to add it to the mix:

And then today I fell head over heels for these two:

I die.

Hello Sunshine

2011-04-01T09:22:00.000-07:00

Red lipstick and super high heels are the cure to most of life's little problems, including a gorgeously warm and sunshiny day forcibly spent in an office with no windows.

I most prefer this Dior, and these Jimmy Choos, paired with a sundress and pinned back hair.

Jimmy Choo to the Rescue

2010-12-07T19:00:00.000-08:00

My only "Black Friday" purchase arrived in the mail. As a public transport comuter, my handbag is like a little sidekick, taking care of me the whole day; this one is like my new best friend. I'll take a quick moment to remember the amazing Marni bag that it's replacing, and look forward to the future with you on my shoulder. I sure love a good hobo.

I think this about sums up my feelings:

2010-12-05T19:08:00.000-08:00

HAH! Thanks to the good folks at Wikipedia, you are too much.

shoe closet heaven

2010-09-02T10:55:00.000-07:00

Moving makes me wish I owned nothing. I hate it with almost every fiber of my being. It does, however, serve as an excellent period of refocusing my wardrobe into what I love, need, and find myself actually wearing. The looming beginning of sharing a closet that in no way resembles the closet heaven pictured above, in an apartment that is probably similar to the size of the closet above is driving me to re-think every attachment to every single item I own.

"Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
--William Morris

Thanks Will, don't you just know.

Runnin' on Empty [and coffee].

2010-07-16T20:41:00.000-07:00

Rarely does a [rather large] glass of wine feel as deserved as when I've worked 26 of the last 30 hours.

Only more so if you've done almost that, and your Aunt died last night. I'm so sorry Friend. (I wish I could have given you a bigger hug and a pint glass of wine.)

Nap in the sun, on the beach, with three gals?

2010-07-15T13:19:00.000-07:00

I'd like to make this happen. Right. Now.

2010-06-25T19:38:00.001-07:00

Never trust a long-time vegetarian to cook your meat for you. She will undoubtebly use a pan that is too small, drain the fat into your salad dressing jar, and either over or under cook the meat itself. Surely, it will not be seasoned right, because she will have no idea what to season it with, or what it tastes like. Do not trust your vegetarian to make the meaty meal of your dreams, surely, it will not taste as your tastebuds immagine.

Ghost Ride The Whip

2010-06-08T21:50:00.000-07:00

Thank you Mista Fab for putting two and two together.

2010-05-31T02:15:00.000-07:00

"God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him."
-John Piper (from his series Desiring God)

This is not becoming a wedding blog

2010-05-19T12:39:00.000-07:00

But how amazing is this new Vera Wang [from her Spring 2010]:

So perfect. Huge sigh.

and for a bridal shower, this Dior dress [from Resort 2011]:

And far more realistically, this, for a honeymoon in Turkey:

hey:

2010-05-05T16:55:00.001-07:00

Lucky.

2010-04-16T21:51:00.001-07:00

I am a girl in love with a lot of things. Lucky for me, number one on that list is my fiance.

There are plants in the window and diamonds on my finger

2010-03-28T22:47:00.000-07:00

Last night I got engaged to be married. This afternoon, inspired by all the gardening I'm reading about everywhere as we usher in Spring, we planted a little herb and tomato window garden.

Adventures in "gardening," take one: "Early Girl" tomatoes, basil, rosemary, and sage.

Your Heart is as Black as The Night

2010-03-25T20:35:00.000-07:00

Forgot how much I like Melody Gardot, until I heard a song of hers at work today. Sultry and sexy, way to interrupt my day for the better, thank you very much.

Excellence: yes, please.

2010-03-23T20:17:00.000-07:00

Take your pick. George Nelson, Edward Wormley, Eero Saarinen, Harry Bertoia, Charles Eames and Jens Risom Playboy Magazine, July 1961 (via The Selvedge Yard)

Happy Spring

2010-03-23T11:51:00.001-07:00

It's a gorgeous day in the City, so put on a sundress, paint your nails the perfect shade of red, and listen to this playlist:

*California Stars -Billy Bragg & Wilco
*What Light - Wilco
*To Be Young -Ryan Adams
*Golden - My Morning Jacket
*Fake Palindromes -Andrew Byrd
*Gone for Good -The Shins
*O Valencia! -The Decemberists
*Wagon Wheel -Old Crow Medicine Show
*Chicago -Sufjan Stevens
*You Are The Best Thing -Ray LaMontagne
*Candy -Paolo Nutini
*I Turn My Camera On -Spoon
*Naked As We Came - Iron & Wine
*For Emma -Bon Iver
*Spanish Stroll -Mink De Ville
*White Winter Hymnal -Fleet Foxes
*In The Aeroplane Over The Sea -Neutral Milk Hotel
*The Littlest Birds -The Be Good Tanyas
*July, July! -The Decemberists
*Missed The Boat -Modest Mouse

Baby There's A Shark In The Water

2010-03-22T20:09:00.000-07:00

Ryan Adams Makes Metal Record

2010-03-22T19:07:00.000-07:00

via pitchfork.com:

Ryan Adams Makes Metal Record

Over on Ryan Adams' website, the alt-country vet has a fun little piece of news: "We're going to begin pressing ORION -- my most legit METAL record -- on vinyl next week. Have a listen to the song below and let us at PAXAM [Adams' label] know if you'd be interested in purchasing one."

The "legit" qualifier is in there presumably because Ryan has played around with joke metal before, primarily through his goofy web-only Werewolph side project. But the song streaming at Adams' site does indeed sound fairly serious, though it probably tilts more toward messy late-80s Pacific Northwest proto-grunge than toward actual metal. There's no soloing, no bottom-heavy riffage, and no lyrics about dragons, but Adams' scratchy growl/whine is pretty impressive. (The Soundcloud tag seems to indicate that the song is called "Electrosnake", which does push us a little further back into "joke" territory.)

Over on the site, there's also a poll where fans can vote on whether or not they'd buy the record. Whatever our intentions, we should all probably vote "yes," if only because the world's a slightly more interesting place when Adams is pulling unabashedly ridiculous moves like this one.

"The world's a slightly more interesting place when Adams is pulling unabashedly ridiculous moves like this one." --A-freaking-MEN.

The Art of Simple Food

2010-03-21T23:50:00.000-07:00

I long for a life filled with good friends, good conversation, good food, and good music. Tonight, I had all four at one time, and it was lovely. A wonderful end to a wonderful day.
Switched it up a little and went to a different church this morning. It was a great chance for me to remember all the people that God has made and placed here, serving, living, sustaining; also a great chance to remember where God has placed me.

2010-03-15T23:19:00.000-07:00

"If we could sell our experiences for what they cost us, we'd be millionaires."
-Abigail VanBuren

Barrel Tasting

2010-03-14T22:58:00.001-07:00

Just got back from a lovely afternoon in Healdsburg, where we barrel tasted at Francis Ford Coppola. It was a perfect blend of warm and sunny, and all the rain we've been having has left the hillsides green and gorgeous. We strolled through the vineyards on the grounds and found a hidden picnic area to lounge around in the sun and sip our Reserve Cabernet. After Coppola we decided to try (at their suggestion) their neighbors, Trentadue, and then went into downtown Healdsburg for a quick sip from Rosenblum, a beer at Bear Republic, and a gelato in the square.
Simply a perfect afternoon.

Even my baseboards sparkle

2010-03-12T22:44:00.001-08:00

The tenacity with which I cleaned yesterday has left me with four things:

1. Three new shelves and a wonderfully functional desk/vanity
2. A clean, well-organized apartment
3. Two happy roommates
4. A back so stiff I can hardly move

It's like sometime in the middle of the night last night, I became 50, and am wishing I lived in a world that had easy and free access to muscle relaxers and pain-killer cocktails. Instead I am laying in bed with my heating pad on my back and an actual cocktail. Icy to dull the pain, hot to melt it away?

Shake Shake Shake Sonora

2010-03-11T21:53:00.000-08:00

Had an amazing weekend building new friendships and relaxing in Sonora this weekend. What a rejuvination of my soul.

We booked it out of the City Friday night, and met up with two other couples for dinner and piled into one big car for the drive out, and arrived at our gracious host's a few hours later, ready for the weekend to come. Saturday morning we drove up the hill to Yosemite, down into the valley floor and up to Badger Pass, where we spent a not so lazy afternoon cross-country skiing, before hot chocolates at the posh Awanee hotel, not without waterfalls, a very wolf-looking coyote, and all of the splendor of the Yosemite Valley. Spent a fanastic night back in Sonora, with wine for the not pregnant, pizza and conversation for all. Family style church Sunday morning, and then boys and girls did boy and girl things (like burning the yard waste pile & riding motorcyles and reading & chatting under blankets), before heading back to our seperate lives in seperate places.

cross country

2010-03-05T00:58:00.000-08:00

I don't know if I ever brought this about from our last little day adventure in winter; we're headed off to another, this time for a weekend, and with four others. Yosemite bound, to passively enjoy nature [and friends], and have some cocoa after we dry out from all the snow that's supposed to fall on us.

Donner Lake Nat'l Park, January 2010

Fashion Week

2010-03-04T15:07:00.000-08:00

Alberta Ferretti Autumn/Winter 2010 -- I love this dusted pink, so feminine and elegant.
via {this is glamorous}

Resurrected: Ten Things That Make Me Happy

2010-02-24T23:02:00.000-08:00

1. Buying and sending other people's handmade cards, especially those from Letter Press Delicacies and Humunuku Shoppe
2. Finally: the perfect peach polish color I've been searching for is a mixed combo of a single layer of Chanel Allegoria with a single layer of Essie Mademoiselle on top.
3. OPI Over the Taupe. A lovely nail color to complement all the layers of mixed neutrals on the rest of your body this season (and next it seems from Fashion Week.)
4. Layers of neutrals, and especially those done by Christopher Bailey in this season's Burberry, and next season in Alberta Ferretti.
5. A bouquet of daffodils and their lovely note that came to me at work today, delivered by the champion of all men, a gold medalist in dating
6. Winter Olympic downhill skiing, and curling, especially when watched on TV under a blanket with a chalice of cold Leffe
7. Fabulously hip restaurants that are just run of the mill here, with gorgeous design, tastey micro-brew or all-too-missed imports, and crazy delicious food.
8. Longer days as the sun stays up later and later.
9. Dreaming of Summer Sundays in sundresses and swimming in the river after getting out of town.
10. Cozy shops with candles lit and great music playing that make perusing the racks and tables worth every penny spent on a new dress.

Happy Spring everyone!

Spreading the word

2010-02-17T11:52:00.000-08:00

Thanks to my dear, dear friend at See Jane Advocate, I'm going to help spread the word by "donating someone else's money."

I recently got an e-mail from an Australian based company called Hotels Combined letting me know about their new marketing initiative. They decided that instead of spending their advertising budget the way they normally would, they would donate their money to different non-profit organizations in exchange for word of mouth advertising by us. When you blog about them, tweet about them or become a fan of theirs on facebook they will donate money to the approved charity of your choice (they let you choose from three: World Vision, Make a Wish and WWF).

So today, I'm donating an extra $20 to World Vision thanks to HotelsCombined.com and asking you to check out them and their website, and hopefully do the same (learn about it here).

I recommend HotelsCombined.com and sent $20 to World Vision!

You can shout and help too.

Ps. --I also love World Vision, and would love you to love them too. Sponsor a child here.

Thanks again HotelsCombined.com, great plan.
And in case you missed the plug at the top, please check out See Jane Advocate to learn how you too can easily help fight for social justice.

Let Her Dance

2010-02-08T19:07:00.000-08:00

In the past three weeks I have seen three of the best movies made last year. Fantastic. See them all. See them all and improve your life.

I immediately bought the soundtrack, and might just call this my new favorite Wes Anderson film, but that's likely because I LOVED this Roald Dahl book as a kid. (Though I was disappointed that Mr. Bean's hearing problem was not explained in any detail, as stuck with me from the book so long ago.)

OF COURSE it's amazing, who DIDN'T know it would be? and it is. Wonderfully exciting, a perfect follow-up to Helvetica.

This ain't no place, for the weary kind

2010-01-31T19:47:00.000-08:00

I was NOT prepared for the movie experience that was Sundance Kabuki Theatre and HECK YES I will be going back for incredible films, Stone Brewing 22's at my 21 and over balcony seat with a side-table. Whoa.

I am in love with this movie. In. Love. Jeff Bridges is incredible in it, incredible. Break my [crazy] heart.
I tell you, I've seen some incredible films in the past year (2009 included Scarface and all three Godfathers for the first time) and this, THIS has got to be the best.

Red soles and a party dress

2010-01-28T16:22:00.000-08:00

Taking in glass after glass of champagne last night along with the sweeping veiws of this gorgeous city, means Bloody Mary's all afternoon today. Loved the party, almost as much as the company.

2010-01-28T09:30:00.000-08:00

“The power of a glance has been so much abused in love stories that it has come to be disbelieved in. Few people dare now to say that two beings have fallen in love because they have looked at each other. Yet it is in this way that love begins, and in this way only.”
— Victor Hugo, Les Misérables

hot chip and peter gabriel: yes please

2010-01-28T09:22:00.001-08:00

Ready Go (round two)

2010-01-18T22:17:00.000-08:00

five things about me RIGHT NOW:

1. I just drank a glass of 100% grapefruit juice.
2. I really LOVE my romantic little life and am very happy, possibly happier than I have ever been.
3. I need to repaint my nails, my red polish is chipping.
4. While I, too, am saddened by the state of Haiti, I am annoyed by an email I received from my boss assuring us that they were finding out ways for us to help instead of telling us how we can help Teresa from housekeeping who's house burnt down almost two weeks ago. I'd rather raise money to help Teresa pay the deductible on her homeowner's insurance (assuming she has) and get her kids some new school clothes than to raise money for the Red Cross to pay it's "administrative costs."
5. I have plenty of books to read, but only WANT to read Devil In a White City, which I still DON'T have, and have refused to buy because I know I can borrow it from someone --except that proves be to be harder than I think it should be.

Mix it Up

2010-01-18T21:54:00.000-08:00

A girl with MANY skills, there are few things I truely excell at. However, one thing I do extremely well is making playlists, mixtapes if you will. (The other is knowing people are into each other long before it's announced.)
The soundtrack to our litte trip down the 1 this weekend included "[We Layed About in Our]" disk one of the Summer Skin two part series, Riding in Cars With Boys, Listed [as it is written], and Bringing it Home Safely.
If you give me [read: take me on] an adventure, I'll create a soundtrack for it. Really, even just a situation, or an event. Likely, it will be one of the best you've ever heard, and you might just find yourself saying, "ooohhh, good song," and "I LOVE this song!" Surely followed by "this is such a great [playlist/cd]!"

Inspiration

2010-01-06T13:36:00.000-08:00

"Fashion is so often presented in culture as a thing of froth, which, of course it partly is; but the bubbles are blown with care and a sense of values."
-Anna Wintour

Oh Discipline, you old Dear.

2009-12-29T18:14:00.000-08:00

I have a fabulous time of spa treatments booked for tomorrow, and so as to make the most of my relaxed and revitalized state, I'm cleaning and doing all my chores now.

Dogs on a Train

2009-12-23T22:06:00.000-08:00

How perfect is this dog on my train to my sister's for Christmas??!!

The answer is SO PERFECT!!! He's even a pirate!!
Oh lovely train: ton's of leg-room, a bloody mary for dinner whipped up by the gentleman in the dining car, and all the romance of travel when travel was glamorous. Where else shall we go?

Merry Christmas!

Ten Things That Make Me Happy

2009-11-19T23:01:00.000-08:00

1. Christian Louboutain's "Claudia" stilettos in smokin' hot pink.
2. Running my first Half Marathon [and beating my goal timae by 8 minutes]!
3. Finally hemming a pair of jeans after wearing them turned under for over a year.
4. Nordstrom At Home towels --so soft and fluffy, the mornings they are in the wash are not nearly as nice as mornings one waits for me outside my tub.
5. Big ladylike gems and baubles
6. Liberty prints
7. Mustard yellow --will I ever get tired of this perfect color? I almost fear the day.
8. The cities of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and
9. Princeton, New Jersey!
10. Fun! (Well done Nate, delightful as usual, thank you very much.) Here, have a listen and see for yourself.

this time we gnew where we were headed.

2009-11-01T20:38:00.000-08:00

Gnomes for Halloween. Last time was not for Halloween, and this time we were traveling gnomes, with pictures of our family, and Andy's pet fox.

Top 5 Records

2009-10-25T23:30:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday! Top five records of all time (in no particular order):

Radiohead: OK Computer
Simon & Garfunkel: Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme
The Shins: Chutes Too Narrow
The Beatles: White Album
Ryan Adams: Heartbreaker

Hello New Jersey!!

2009-10-20T19:19:00.000-07:00

Princeton: Days three and four!

We left Philadelphia with love in our hearts for our fabulous hosts, The Krazewski's, after a lazy, chatty morning and nutritious breakfast. We packed up our Kia Rio and got on the Turnpike, Princeton bound.
(these sunglasses came with the car --sweet extra 'eh??)
The rain had lightened up a little, affording us a scenic drive through beautiful fall leaves, and we made it to town by about 2. I'll just say right now, Princeton wooed my romantic heart, and I can't believe that this is what some people know of their "college years." The University is amazingly gorgeous, old, charming, full of towering, heavy architecture in stone and brick and everything you see in movies and on TV.

We strolled the ivy-covered campus, pretending to be dashing co-eds with parent's weekend on our mind, and then headed over to Small World Coffee for cups of apple cider and hot chocolate. We continued our stroll around the town's high streets and did a little shopping (of course) before heading back for a run and a shower and a dip in the hot tub (ahh, resort living). Dinner at the recommended Triumph Brewery, where we each had a sampler of 7 exceptionally tasty 5oz beers, and a delicious dinner.

Tired travelers and recent Phillies fans, we watched the Phillies game and went to sleep, ready for wedding festivities.
Sunday = Jimmy and Nina's wedding day! Chilly and rainy, I still think the Mountain Lakes House where they got married was the most charmingly romantic place, set in the woods, full of fall leaves and on a lovely lake. We celebrated, drank warm apple cider, and awed over Nina's bridal beauty.

I pretty much love Princeton, and would like to visit again. Someone should move there so I have reason, or else, I might just push my kids to live what I couldn't and go to the University (on scholarship of course, that it ridiculous kinds of cash).
On the way to the airport the next morning, we stopped at Dunkin' Doughnuts, (since it was open at 4:30am, why not?) and I have to say: not impressed. That was NOT good coffee, but for the morning Andy and Kerry ran on Dunkin'.
Andy got on a train to Maryland, I flew out of Newark alone, and said goodbye to the East Coast's seasonal charm, to our Kia Rio, and to vacation-living.
Until next time, Mid-Atlantic, thanks for the memories.

It's never sunny in Philadelphia

2009-10-17T11:21:00.000-07:00

Philadelphia, day's one-point-five and two!!

Took a little trip to the East-- coast that is, and spent the first two days in Philadelphia. We left San Francisco on a twice-delayed red-eye Wednesday night, flew into Newark and landed at 7:30 am. Adventurous and thrifty souls that we are, we decided to take the bus to a rental-car site a little ways away, rather than rent at the airport and pay lots more. So one grande and one vente drip to-go, (no pastry because we were heart-set on build-your-own Grand Slams in the future) and we made our way to the NJ Transit stop to catch the 8:30am, #72 Bus to Woodbridge Shopping Center. This was a local bus, and lead us on an hour and a half scenic tour of residential Newark. We finally got in the car and on the road at about 11am, and began the Yelp quest for a near-by Denny's. Oh what a breakfast! Then: welcome to Pennsylvania.

We took the Turnpike's --NJ to Penna, for my first turnpike experience. BTW, for those of you who don't know --it's just a freeway that's a toll road, and they have little truck-stop-like fast-food malls along the way. Can I just say, what is with the abreviations on the road signs?? NJ, Phila, Penna?? Can't you write the whole name? Arrived in front of our lovely host's, Troy and Caitlin's darling Chestnut Hill, PA victorian flat about 2pm, and I tell you, I was ready for a nap. So much for seeing the city, we napped and then spent the evening with The Krezouwski's at their small group for dinner and Bible study. A fantastically spent evening of fellowship.

After a weak run in the AM, we headed in to Philly to meet Scott Ritter for lunch, and a walk around UPenn, where Scott is starting med-school. Cold and rainy but, Penn is beautiful, and all full of old brick buildings and iron staircases in old libraries. Thank you Scott Ritter for a delicous lunch and an excellent campus tour.

After UPenn, we took the car and drove over to Rittenburg Square where we delighted in Belgian beer, mussels, and fries and got out of the rain, at Monk's (I yelped it here). Next up: rico suave. We walked down the street and around the corner for happy hour mojitos at the recommended Alma De Cuba. So swanky, it makes you want to out on a slinky top, sit in their low, low mid-century-modern club chairs, lean over the table and whisper to your date about that time when you were in Cuba and the heat...
The only things we knew we wanted to see and do in Philly were the art museum and cheesesteaks, so we drove to The Philadelphia Museum of Art for their Friday night happening, which is similar to what the Academy of Science does here, but geared for the older Philly crowd-- 5-9pm, cocktails and snacks, and a live jazz band. All we really wanted was the Duchamp exhibit based around his last work Etant Donnes. Amazing.
We had to be kicked out. So we left, pretended to be Rocky, and went for steaks at Jim's. This vegitarian ate a little, she ordered: Wiz, with, and could you please make it 1/2 steak and 1/2 veggies? I have to say, yum. I was a little freaked out, our Nutritionist hostess, Caitlin, told me that if you haven't had meat in a long period of time, your body no longer has the digestive enzymes to break it down, and you can get very sick-- so I only ate a little of the steak side, and my body was a champ. Don't worry, it's not a perminant step to meat-eating.

It took us two hours to get home, as we got very lost, but got to see the beautiful bridge, and boathouse row, and feel near the liberty bell at one point, and excercise locking our doors before finally finding our way back to Chestnut Hill and passing out exhausted, in love with Philadelphia, but ready for Princeton.

The grass is bluer on the other stage

2009-10-07T11:35:00.000-07:00

I love San Francisco and it's love of festivals, and I especially love The Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival. I think it's my favorite all year, and this year was no exception.

Dr. Dog

Bluegrass Bikes!

We skipped out of church a few minutes early to make it to see Dr. Dog, and they did not disappoint. Over to Billy Brag, who is nothing good outside of Wilco and Jeff Tweedy. Please do not bring your politics into my bluegrass festival, no thank you very much. Scored an excellent spot to stick around for Old Crow Medicine Show, and in the meantime, boogied to the likes of Mavis somebody and to The Knitters. A very chilly evening, but with very warmed souls, thanks to fried chicken, mac and cheese, new wine in a new wineskin, backyard bbq chips, and plenty of Boddingtons. Then came OCMS and you rocked us well, young men, you rocked us well.

Four weeks and counting.

2009-10-07T10:42:00.000-07:00

This is what seven miles looked like tonight:

I now run past the bridge, and to the ballpark before turning around. I''m also developing a relationship with Icy Hot.

Thursday nights are for lovers (of art, music, and each other)

2009-10-01T10:59:00.000-07:00

Dear David Bazan,
Thank you for starting your tour in my fair city, and for doing such a great job at it. So nice of you to bring our friends too, what a fun surprise it was to walk into The Independent and be greeted with people we love but did expect to see! You bring out the best, well done.

Sincerely,

Team Kerry and Co.

Before that, we went to a special (to us) Anniversary edition of First Thursdays, and saw (among others) and loved this Michael Gregory show at the John Berggruen Gallery. It struck such a chord in my wanderlustful heart, and makes me want to be on a long road trip in the heartland. (I wish I could add an image here, especially of my favorite from Western Constructs, "The Way Things Dissolve" but I think they are protected, and rightfully so, I guess.)

Go see it, I know you'll love it.

John Berggruen Gallery

228 Grant Avenue

San Francisco, CA 94108
Hours: 9:30am - 5:30pm Monday through Friday

10:30am - 5:00pm Saturday

so my darling I'll succumb

2009-09-29T00:10:00.000-07:00

sometimes I want to pretend I can fit in, when I realize they invite me because they just don't know; but inevitably:
-I drink gin, not vodka; Trappist beer, not Bud Lite.
-I wear bangs, not eye-makeup; cardigans, not date tops.
-I listen to bands you've maybe never heard of, not top 40.
-I go to church, not brunch.

and I like it.

Ten Things That Make Me Happy

2009-09-28T11:59:00.001-07:00

1. Nights with my best girls and their best men
2. Packing for five days and bringing four sundresses
3. Peacock feathers everwhere for fall, especially in this new scarf, and in Milly's fall collection.
4. Summer rain storms
5. Chicken Foot dominoes with The Folks
6. Bottle of 2004 Amante from Faulkner Winery in Temecula
7. Throwing horseshoes
8. Jonathan Wright (printed letterpress by hand on a hundred-year-old Chandler and Price platen press)
9. Seawolf and homemade pizza for my one-year anniversary with my favorite boy.
10. Stone Brewery's outdoor beer garden in Escondido, CA

smoking lips and owls

2009-09-25T11:32:00.000-07:00

I never thought I'd be so into Kate Spade , but I am now. Her new clothing line is adorably on key; there are great jewels, some cute flats and I'm even actually loving a bag. I think she is coming out of the suburbs and into the city; off of the housewife and onto the young, hip, professional.

I'm so in love with this owl bag, which even has little gold leather feet poking out of the bottom, and there is a coin purse that makes me wish I live where it is a more a coin-based currency.

This is a Kate Spade I can get behind. Hello Fall!

Ten Things That Make Me Happy

2009-08-25T18:20:00.000-07:00

1. Scarface --not what I thought it was going to be, (thanks Alcatraz tour guide) and a few [too] bloody parts, but overall, and unbelievable win of a film.
2. Francis Ford Copola Winery, and wine --who's wine club we joined and are thilled to no end with
3. Swimming in rivers and Healdsburg [which, you COULD say, is for lovers]
4. Opi "No Spain, No Gain" --the perfect transition color for pre-fall, and my new constant color
5. Lake Tahoe! That thing really is so blue it's unreal. Like Disneyland water blue.
6. Figs
7. Andrew Bird, Bon Iver, and Fleet Foxes
8. Pedro Garcia flats, with a hidden platform in the heel similar to Lanvin, but for less... and, they're hecho en Espana.
9. headbands, which keep my out-growing, messy hair under wraps
10. Public access to private property, such as the public walking trails at the Ritz Carlton in Half Moon Bay

Frank on beauty.

2009-07-30T08:36:00.000-07:00

“The longer I live the more beautiful life becomes. If you foolishly ignore beauty, you will soon find yourself without it. Your life will be impoverished. But if you invest in beauty, it will remain with you all the days of your life.”
- Frank Lloyd
Wright

Hello Pre-Fall, my you are lovely.

2009-07-29T01:13:00.000-07:00

Very dangerously in love with this year's Pre-Fall collections, and most tangibly with J. Crew's. Excellent work J. Crew, simply lovely. Cardigans and blouses, and the JEWELS. oh man. Simply lovely.
shop my fancy.

Ten Things That Make Me Happy

2009-07-25T00:51:00.000-07:00

1. My new living room makeover
2. Farm Fresh To Me box!
3. A quick visit to my hometown and catching up with the dearest friends who made time for me.
4. A weekend in AZ with my grandfolks, with my grandfather doing much better, praise the Lord, and telling me about his younger years: the war, flying army planes made out of canvas they'd build themselves, hunting Gustav, and the beginning of his legacy, meeting and marrying my grandmother.
5. Amazing pedicure I got while in SoCal, where great pedicures are standard, inexpensive and available on every block, unlike in SF where they are harder to find and expensive when found.
6. Cucumber Mint Lemonade!
7. Red Hawk cheese from Cowgirl Creamery
8. 4th of July!! my favorite holiday, and it felt like it should, bbq, Taboo! decent weather (or just enough sweaters and blankets), sitting on the marina lawn and actually seeing the fireworks, margaritas, and great friends.
9. My mom, who loves me, and wants the best for me, but lets me be me.
10. Thursday morning farmers market at the ferry building (and especially THIS thursday's visit and morning with the amazing C-star Green.)